NSS to introduce 2 new programmes

BHUBANESWAR: The National Service Scheme (NSS) of Odisha will spread its wings to two new areas _ eradication of superstition amongst the tribal population and protection of historical heritage _ as a part of its action plan to activate its dormant NSS wings.  In an action plan, the restructuring of its programmes has been given top priority by the NSS officials. Under the provision, a programme that will help eradicate superstition among the tribal population has been formulated. The agenda will be prepared first, volunteers of the NSS units in the tribal districts will be given specific training in the subject and then they will work in the villages.  “I have been to villages dominated by tribal population and seen instances of people suffering due to superstitions. We hope that through this course, superstition will be tone down,” said Council of Higher Secondary Education’s (CHSE) NSS Bureau Programme Coordinator Ramesh Chandra Behera. After the training, the students will conduct workshops, street plays and work at a ground level to create awareness.  The volunteers will be educated on restoration and protection of historical heritage. “Odisha has a rich cultural and historical heritage. Most of them need attention and by educating the NSS volunteers on how to protect the monuments like Ratnagiri and Dhauligiri, we will add to the workforce,” said CHSE chairman Nihar Ranjan Patnaik.  An attempt at increasing the computer literacy in villages will also be made through the NSS units. There are numerous villages which have been adopted by the individual NSS units. It then becomes the duty of the NSS volunteers of the specific units to work with the community of the village towards its development. The  bureau is awaiting the course designed by the volunteers themselves to suit their needs.  After a recent survey by the NSS officials, numerous NSS units were found to be dormant or not working to their optimum. “We need to make use of whatever resources we have with us,” said Behera. They are also contemplating collaborative or partnership programmes where they will tie up with various government units to create a variety of courses. “There are organisations which have the financial resources, but do not have the manpower to implement projects. We will be collaborating with such organisations very soon, said Behera.